Who is RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin? How old is he and where is he from? When did he become RTÜK President?

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has imposed penal sanctions on several television channels due to broadcasts related to the investigation into Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. According to information provided by RTÜK member İlhan Taşcı, the reports to be evaluated at the council meeting were distributed to council members by RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin only 20 minutes before the meeting, instead of the 24-hour period specified by law. This situation has led to debates regarding whether the reports were sufficiently reviewed and the functioning of the decision-making process.

A RAIN OF FINES ON CHANNELS

At the end of the RTÜK meeting, various penalties were ruled against Now TV, Tele 1, Halk TV, and Sözcü TV (SZC) due to their broadcasts regarding İmamoğlu.

Now TV was issued a 3 percent administrative fine,

Tele 1 was issued a 3 percent administrative fine,

Halk TV was issued a 3 percent administrative fine and a 3-time program suspension penalty,

Sözcü TV was issued a 3 percent administrative fine and a 3-time program suspension penalty.

TAŞÇI: WHERE THERE IS NO LAW, EVERYTHING IS ILLEGAL!

RTÜK member İlhan Taşcı argued that behind the decisions lies "the RTÜK President's effort to exert pressure on the media with the support of political power" and stated, "Where there is no law, everything is illegal."

WHO IS EBUBEKİR ŞAHİN?

He was born in 1974 in Çayeli, Rize. He completed his primary education in Rize and his high school education in Sakarya. In 1995, he graduated from the Department of Public Relations and Publicity at the Faculty of Communication of Gazi University. In 2002, he completed his Master's degree in the Department of Journalism.

Having served in management positions in many institutions such as the Ministry of Interior, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, RTÜK, and the Prime Ministry, Şahin also served as Deputy General Manager at Anadolu Agency. He also served as Deputy Undersecretary and Undersecretary at the Ministry of Family and Social Policies.

In accordance with Article 35 of the Law No. 6112 on the Establishment and Broadcasting Services of Radio and Television, Şahin was elected as a member of the Radio and Television Supreme Council as a result of the election held at the 8th Session of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey General Assembly on 16.10.2017.

After serving as a member for a period, Şahin became the President of the Supreme Council on 23.01.2019.

News Source: 12punto